What are some of the biggest deals that were either heavily rumored or very close to happening through history? A few that come to mind are Gretzky going to the Rangers, Red Wings, Canucks or Maple Leafs at various times, Yzerman for Yashin and Lecavalier to Montreal.

I remember Bill Watters once said on Leafs Lunch that in 2001 the Leafs and Lightning had a trade worked out for Lecavalier, however at the last minute Tampa Bay ownership stepped in and said not to trade him.

Of an evening many years ago, 1961 to be precise, a million dollars offered by James D. Norris of Chicago for Frank Mahovlich of the Leafs, accepted by Harold Ballard, deposit paid... returned the next morning, deal halted upon the intervention of Conn Smythe & Punch Imlach.

At 15, Gordie Howe was invited to & attended the Rangers Training Camp.... however, homesick, taking a lot of ribbing from veterans, turned off with the experience & returned home to Saskatoon. Following winter, approached by a Red Wings Scout, rest is history.

Summer of 97, the Rangers, having lost Messier to Vancouver sign Colorado's Joe Sakic to a $21M 3yr Offer Sheet, the Avalanche however stepping up to the plate & matching. At that tine, had Colorado not matched and lost Sakic, I believe the indemnification was 5 or 6 1st Round Picks from New York.

In 2007, Detroit was up against it with the Salary Cap, Datsyuks Contract up and they didnt have a lot of breathing room. A deal reportedly in place with New Jersey for Scott Gomez. Fortunately for the Wings, they did manage to sign Pavel, one of the most popular, creative, entertaining & best 2 way players in todays game.

Prime Teemu for Jason Allison, Sylvain Cote and Nolan Baumgartner. Nixed by Abe Polin who didn't want to pay Teemu his salary. Same guy who forced a trade of Ciccarelli for Kevin Miller due to not wanting to pay.

Speaking of Lindros, the Habs and Nords talked a Roy+ trade. They were close, but in the end, I think Savard backed off because it would have been political suicide to trade his French Canadian star for Lindros, who many in Quebec couldn't stand.